Side by side
MacUpdate Desktop vs WinGet
Both stand on software update tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Paid Mac
MacUpdate Desktop centralizes common Mac app-management tasks and provides detailed app information. Its beta status, system requirements, root-level helper, and annual auto-renewing subscription are key considerations.
Visit MacUpdate Desktop
Free plan Windows
WinGet provides broad command-line package management across supported Windows versions, with multiple sources and enterprise controls. Version-detection gaps and authentication requirements matter for some upgrade and Store-download workflows.
Visit WinGetThe facts
| MacUpdate Desktop | WinGet | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Mac | Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | MacUpdate Desktop: $9.99 a year | Not published |
| Plans published | 1 | None |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | macupdate-desktop.macupdate.com | learn.microsoft.com |
| On software update tools | #28 of 29 | #24 of 29 |
MacUpdate Desktop: what it does well
- Centralized app discovery and management
- Supports automatic updates
- Can preserve saved data during uninstall
- Works with web and Mac App Store apps
- Supports Intel 64 and Apple Silicon
What to know first
- Beta product, version 0.9.1
- Requires macOS 11 or later
- Daemon Helper uses root permissions
- Subscription costs $9.99 a year
WinGet: what it does well
- Free plan available
- Supports many installer formats
- Includes dependency resolution
- Supports private registry authentication
- Offers repeatable configuration files
What to know first
- Windows-only tool
- Some newer versions cannot be identified
- Store downloads require Microsoft Entra ID authentication
- Enterprise policy can bypass certificate validation
Alternatives to MacUpdate Desktop Alternatives to WinGet The whole list